The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared the suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe illegal, intensifying an internal power struggle within the party’s Abuja wing.
Party authorities have also sanctioned three executives from Wuse Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), accusing them of orchestrating the controversial suspension in breach of the party constitution and established procedures. Those sanctioned include Ward Chairman Kanayo Chukwu, alongside Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman.
Speaking to journalists and party members in Abuja, Emmanuel Destiny, a member of the ADC’s National Working Committee, stated that the suspension was invalid due to procedural lapses.
“The party is supreme over any individual. To date, the national leadership has received no formal petition or complaint against Senator Kingibe,” Destiny said. “You cannot simply suspend a sitting senator without presenting your grievances in writing.”
He further warned that the national leadership would not tolerate what he described as misconduct by the ward officials. “We are here to oppose such shenanigans by a self-styled Wuse Ward chairman who is not recognised by the party. Any actions taken in the last 72 hours will attract full disciplinary measures from the national wing,” Destiny added.
Princess Nneka Nneboh, the party’s Deputy National Auditor, echoed this sentiment, stressing that the leadership could no longer remain silent after repeated requests for adherence to due process. “We asked them to follow the proper channels. Enough is enough,” she said.
John Hyginus, FCT Secretary of the ADC, criticised the apparent administrative lapses and flagrant disregard for the party’s constitution. “We are addressing the incompetence of the state chairman and the breaches of the party’s rules. The ward and area council chairmen have passed a vote of no confidence on the three officials who initiated Senator Kingibe’s suspension,” he stated.
The meeting at the party’s FCT secretariat in Abuja included key officials such as State Chairman Clement Ihigiato, AMAC Chairman Emeka Nnamani, Danlami Zuru, and Jemila Ahmadu.
The episode underscores a growing power tussle within the FCT chapter, as the national leadership moves to reassert control and discipline within the party.
The controversy began earlier when Wuse Ward officials announced Kingibe’s suspension, citing allegations of anti-party activities, insubordination, and withholding campaign funds during recent AMAC elections. The ADC’s national leadership, however, dismissed these claims as false and misleading, with National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi urging caution in public interpretation.
The motion for suspending the three ward executives was proposed by Danlami Zuru and seconded by exco member Samuel Dimgba. In an open letter to the National Working Committee, Ward Publicity Secretary Samuel Nwigbo questioned the logic of sidelining a candidate who had refused to actively campaign for the party in a key constituency election.
